Combined switch



(No Model.)

J. DAVIS 86 W. A. THOMAS.

COMBINED SWITCH, LOOP, ANDv GROSSOVER FOR RAILWAYS. 11 ,534,818. Patented Feb. '26, 1895.

WI TNESSES:

ilNiTno STATES PATENT Trice,

JAMES DAVIS AND WILLIAM ARTHUR THOMAS, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

COMBINED SWITCH, LOOP, AND CROSS OVER FOR RAILWAYS- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 534,818, dated February 26, 18 95.

Application filed ovemb :1894. Serial No. 528,937. (No model.)

To ail whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JAMES DAVIS and WIL- LIAM ARTHUR THOMAS, citizens of the United States of America, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsyl' Vania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Switch, Loop,

and Cross-Over forRailroads, of which the following is a specification, reference being badby avoiding the switch-back; thus obtaining a great advantage over other systems that are now in use, inasmuch as changing the direct motion of the car While traversing any portion of the circuit will be obviated.

- With the above and other objects in view the invention finally consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangements of the tracks and switches to be hereinafter more particularlydescribed and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification the figure represents a plan viewof our improved switchloop and cross-over.

In the drawing, 1 indicatesthe main track which is annularin form. This main circuit is provided with continuous side branches N, S, E, W, respectively; the said branches intersecting the main circuit at four points or any number of points approximately at right angles from the center of the circle.

2 represents the switches which are of the ordinary and well known construction.

3 represents the castings ofthe branches at the intersection of the main circuit.

The boundary of the streets is indicated by the letters N, E, and S, E, and N W and S, W.

Operation: It will be noted that a car when on the main circuit may be easily transferred to any of the branch lines. For the purpose of illustrating this let us suppose that a car is running on the right hand side of the S track in a direction toward N or north. Supposing further that the said car were to take an eastward course; the switches would then be thrown sothat the car could not make the circuit but would be switched in the desired direction. If the car should take a northerly course, the switches would be opened on the branch line E, and the car allowed to traverse a portion of the circle to a point where the switch would be again closed and accomplish the desired end, 11. e., to switch the car on branch N. Should a westerly course be pursued the car would pass both the branches E and NTthe switches being open and thus be allowed to follow the westerly course. If the car is to return in the opposite direction all switches are thrown open and the car allowed to travel over the entire circuit and return via the left hand track.

It will be seen that the cars moving in the opposite direction as described may be transferred in the same manner; furthermore, that a number of roads running in different directions may be readily transferred by employing our system.

We call particular attention to the fact that our invention may be applied to any system of street railways-such as electric, cable, motor, or horse-carsand may be applied with great advantage even though the different lines terminating at one point are are operated under the above described system.

The switches may be operated in any suit able manner automatically or by hand or may be controlled from a switch station located at considerable height above the center of the circle.

. It will be readily seen that by the practical adoption of the above described system the number of switches employed are greatly reduced compared to the present methods of switching. Furthermore, the system affords ICO departing from the general spirit of our inlines intersecting the said annular track at right angles, and suitable switches substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof we affix our signa- 15 tures in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES DAVIS. WILLIAM ARTHUR THOMAS.

l/Vitnessesz H. O. EVERT, PERCY KEATING. 

